A new law aims to make Germany a model country for self-driving cars.
Now two companies want to test it out in 2022.
Munich - From 2022 there should be robot taxis in Germany.
Then the car rental company Sixt and the Intel subsidiary Mobileye want to offer the service with self-driving vehicles.
This was announced by Intel boss Pat Gelsinger and Sixt co-boss Alexander Sixt on Tuesday at the IAA Mobility trade fair.
At the beginning of the test run, the cars will be self-driving automobiles of automation level 4 - that is, the system will permanently take over the driving operation.
However, there is still a driver in the car who only intervenes in exceptional cases.
The concept is implemented with a seven-seater vehicle from the Chinese * manufacturer Nio, which has been massively upgraded with Mobileye technology.
These include lidar sensors, numerous cameras for all-round visibility and radar sensors behind the front and rear bumper.
Robo-Taxis in Germany: Approval from KBA and TÜV is ongoing
Passengers should be able to book the service using both the Intel Moovit app and the Sixt app.
The autonomous Robotaxi offer will be integrated into Sixt's “One” mobility platform, which combines services for car rental, car sharing and car subscriptions in one app.
Mobileye manager Johann Jungwirth announced in an interview with the German Press Agency (dpa) that operations will initially start with a limited program in the coming year.
Sixt and Mobileye would invite customers for this service trial.
At the same time, the necessary permits for regular operation will be taken care of.
The vehicle registration process is already underway at the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) and TÜV Süd.
Autonomous driving in Germany: robo-taxis use new law
According to Jungwirth, the Robotaxi operated by Sixt and Mobileye will be the first vehicle to take advantage of the new law on autonomous driving in Germany *.
The law came into force at the end of July.
"As soon as the vehicle is approved, we will also be able to drive here without a driver."
Intel CEO Gelsinger said that through the rapid further development of the legal framework for autonomous driving, Germany “demonstrated its global leadership role for the future of autonomous mobility”.
"Without this new law, it would not be possible for us to start robotaxi operations in Munich next year."
Robo-Taxis from Sixt and Intel: "Will work economically"
Sixt board member Nico Gabriel expects that technology-loving customers in particular will book the robotic taxis at the beginning.
This effect was also seen when Sixt first added electric vehicles to its fleet.
Sixt and Mobileye only want to announce prices for the Robotaxi service shortly before the start of the project.
Jungwirth emphasized, “Mobileye and Sixt can already say today that the project is working economically.
Even with a relatively small fleet size, this is sensible business. ”
(Dpa / frs) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
